Our collection of best martial arts themed comic books and graphic novels for this year has a great mix of old and new and includes both classic series such as 
If you’re a fan of action-packed and well-written graphic novels, there martial arts filled stories are great starting points in this sub-genre.
The two gun-toting, sword-wielding brothers resurface as high-level debt collectors, working exclusively for a vicious Japanese crime lord, Mr. Yamamoto. Believing that the Blaze Brothers have dishonored him, he places a two million dollar bounty on their heads.
The Blaze Brothers must battle every hitman, assassin, and gang member in the city in an attempt to clear their names.
Blaze Brothers is a creation of award-winning writers Vernon Whitlock III and Matthew Scott Krentz and fan-favorite artist Marat Mychaels (X-Force: Shatterstar and Deadpool Corp).
These include honor, courage, justice, loyalty, self-control…and explains the philosophy behind how samurai were educated and trained; the connection between the sword and the samurai; seppuku; and the position of women in samurai culture; among other themes.
To this day, Bushido is considered a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the soul of Japan and navigate their world with integrity and honor. This graphic novel version of the cult classic Bushido brings the timeless secrets of the samurai to life.
Hoping to have Saburo killed, he orders Shi’s release from prison, something the old blind warrior has been waiting thirty years for. Thirty years cut off from the rest of the world, unaware of the betrayal that sealed his fate. Sometimes, all that separates family and business is the width of a blade.
This is an exciting series with many twists including some father-son combat and more. The collection includes 31 issues.
Archer & Armstrong. After years of meditation and training, 18-year-old Obadiah Archer has been dispatched to New York City to carry out the sacred mission of his family’s sect– kill the booze-addled immortal known only as Armstrong and convene a new world order.
Hap and Leonard. An all-new graphic novel adapting the original story which is the basis for the first season of the Sundance TV series. A rip-roaring, high-octane, Texas-sized thriller, featuring two friends, one vixen, a crew of washed-up radicals, loads of money, and bloody mayhem.
Hap Collins and Leonard Pine are best friends, yet they couldn’t be more different. Hap is an East Texas white boy with a weakness for all women.
Joe R. Lansdale’s classic dark thriller has been adapted and vividly bought to life by Finnish illustrator Jussi Piironen. He stays faithful to the original novel and creates a visual treat for Hap and Leonard fans.
JFH: Justice For Hire. The Retribution Industry is born, allowing for private-counter-terrorist forces to thrive, creating rival teams that fight for the industry’s #1 spot.
Following in the footsteps of their legendary fathers, martial arts mega-duo Ebony and Ivory become overnight media sensations, kicking ass in the name of justice along with their sexy, gun-toting chauffeur/bodyguard, Louisa, at their side. But now competition is on the rise.
Featuring elements direct from Kevin Smith’s unproduced screenplay, writer Ande Parks is joined by the sensational Ale Garza and fills in the blanks on the new Kato, the old Kato and the mystery of the Black Hornet.
The 7th Sword. Daniel Cray – a samurai mercenary – stumbles upon the legendary city of ZenZion, a mysterious desert outpost under siege from a vicious warlord.
Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues. This action-packed martial arts comics is definitely an essential read for readers who want to get started in this sub-genre.
Or so goes the story Sensei Lawrence tells his students nearly 35 years later. Written by Denton J. Tipton (X-Files) and illustrated by Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung Fu). Based on the hit YouTube Original series Cobra Kai.
At Luis’s insistence, the samurai agrees to help smuggle a Manchu princess to Mexico. But little does he know that he’s really been dragged into an epic struggle for power.
As they become embroiled in the deadly politics of New Spain, Kitazume uses his lethal skills to save his friends–and to find redemption. Meanwhile, Luis secretly works as a member of the legendary Shield-Brethren, whose mission is to see that neither China nor Spain controls the silver mines owned by Luis’s very father.
As politics and greed collide, Kitazume must call upon his deadly skills once more. But he’s not just fighting to save his friends–he’s fighting for the redemption he so desperately craves.
But when the agency she works for, is compromised, Kabuki’s personal quest sends her down a difficult path to her own self-discovery, that may bring her in direct conflict with the powers she formerly served.
The Raid (Volume 1). Ollie Masters (The Kitchen), Alex Paknadel (Assassin’s Creed) and Budi Setiawan (Rex Royd) send hero cop Rama on a brutal new mission! Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Man attack.
Ninjak. Then: Meet inexperienced MI-6 recruit Colin King on his first mission in the field as he learns the basics of spycraft and counterintelligence, and develops a volatile relationship with his first handler.
Now: Colin King is Ninjak, the world’s foremost intelligence operative, weapons expert, and master assassin. And he’s hunting the Shadow Seven – a secret cabal of shinobi masters with mysterious ties to his training and tragic past.
Nobu Fudo has worn the pale, wooden mask since childhood, when he was still known as Shinnosuke. He was just a poor boy who dreamed of becoming a powerful samurai.
When his sister is attacked, his inner warrior awakens and his anger is unstoppable. But something else has also awakened. Something dark and terrible.
Ninja Tales. In the tradition of Cthulhu Tales and Zombie Tales. From comedy, to drama, to action, this anthology features familiar writers like John (Transformers: the Movie) Rogers, Johanna (Eureka) Stokes, Andrew (X Isle, Eureka) Cosby, Michael Alan (Second Wave, X Isle) Nelson, with the new addition of CSI screenwriter Henry Alonzo Myers.
Featuring art from Ron (Thanos) Lim, Chris (Eberron: Eye of the Wolf) Lie, Chee (Second Wave), and more! Cover by Eisner Award-winning legend Dave Johnson. The illustration in this title is stunning and is one of our favorite ones in this sub-genre.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1: Change is Constant. Of course…another great title based on the classic series although martial arts aspects of the stories are more implicit.
His brothers and Master Splinter are on the search, but so far all they can find is trouble-in the form of mutant alley cat Old Hob and his gang of criminals.
Join Tom Waltz, Dan Duncan, and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman for the start of a wild ride.
Shaolin Cowboy: Start Trek. The original Eisner winning series published by Burlyman Entertainment in all its bloody glory. It’s fat, it’s fast, it’s furious. The Shaolin Cowboy walks the action-packed path of three enemies:
Those from the past, who still pursue him, those from the future who are waiting for him, and those from the present who find killing him isn’t going to be as easy as he looks.
*****
Mystery Tribune’s coverage of the latest and most notable comic books and graphic novels in crime, mystery, horror and thriller genre including our popular reading lists are available here.
